Adjustable basketball backboard bracket structure



Dec. 3, 1968 L. LOUNSBURY 3,414,262

ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL BACKBOARD BRACKET STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l I.\VE.\'TOR. [A vanes/v5 Z [aw/saver Dec. 3, 1968 LOUNSBURY 3,414,262

ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL BACKBOARD BRACKET STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Kim? INVENTOR. L4 l/EEG/VE I law/sewer m M w mNEYS United States Patent 3,414,262 ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL BACKBOARD BRACKET STRUCTURE Lavergne I. Lounsbury, 2130 Cleveland Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60614 Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,577 8 Claims. (Cl. 273-1.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable basketball backboard bracket structure has cylindrical board bars secured to the back face of a backboard, cylindrical base bars to be secured to a supporting surface and brace bars between the board bars and the base bars. Clamps connect the brace bars to the other bars and comprise arcuate clamping fingers engaging 90 but less than 180 about the back bars and base bars with the tips of the fingers clear of the surfaceopposing portions of the engaged bars for free adjustment therealong. In one form the base bars have cantilever arms angled generally forwardly and upwardly. In another form the base bars are of U-shape with arms attached to the board bars.

This invention relates to improvements in basketball backboard bracket structures of the kind especially adapted for outdoor use and to be mounted on a roof at the eaves, on a wall or on a post, and more particularly concerns novel means enabling accurate adjustment of the backboard.

Popularly basketball baskets are mounted outdoors on backboards attached to garage or shed roofs, walls, posts such as telephone poles and even to tree trunks. The supporting hardware or bracket structure for this purpose has customarily consisted of either wooden frame structure or angle iron bolted together. A rather serious problem encountered with such prior structures has been that of attaining square and plumb disposition of the backboard and the basket hoop. This has been especially serious in prefabricated kit assemblies for installation by do it yourself amateurs unequipped with proper tools.

It is, accordingly, an important object of the present invention to provide new and improved bracket structures for mounting basketball back-boards and which is easily installed with the simplest tools and is quickly and easily adjustable to afford optimum operational attitude of the backboard throughout a wide range of accurate adjustment capability.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, rugged basketball backboard mounting assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved means in a game backboard mounting assembly for accurately adjusting the same in mounted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved adjustment means for game board bracket structures.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a backboard and its mounting bracket structure in a roof mounted position and embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational detail view taken substantially on the line II-H of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a rear perspective view of a backboard provided with a mounting bracket structure adapted for attachment to a building wall or the like; and

Patented Dec. 3, 1968 FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the same bracket structure as in FIGURE 3 but adjusted for mounting of the same on a pole such as a telephone post.

On reference to FIGURE 1, a representative embodiment of the invention comprises mounting bracket structure 5 supporting a game backboard 7 and attached to the eaves portion of a roof -8 with the backboard suitably disposed beyond the edge of the eaves and any eaves trough (not shown) that may be associated therewith. Suitable game apparatus such as a basket hoop 9 carrying the customary mesh, open bottom basket 10 for playing basketball is depicted as mounted on the front or operational side of the backboard 7 and by means of screws or bolts 11.

For roof mounting, the bracket structure 5 desirably comprises two identical bracket assemblies. Each of the bracket assemblies has a board bar 12 secured as by means of screws or bolts 13 extending through selective screw holes 14 to one respective side margin of the backface of the backboard 7. For thorough support and min forcernent of the backboard the length of the board bars 12 is preferably such as to extend throughout most of the height of the board, and also affords the advantage of enabling substantial height adjust-ment of the board relative to the supporting bracket structure.

Attach-ment of the bracket structure to the roof 8 is through respective base bars 15 secured to the roof as by means of screws or bolts 17 and of a length to extend sufficiently inwardly beyond the eaves edge of the roof to provide adequate cantilever support for the backboard. Each of the base bars 15 has a front end portion in the form of an upwardly and forwardly angled cantilever arm 18 attached at its extremity by means of a clamp 19 to the lower end portion of its associated board bar 12. This upward angularity of the cantilever arm affords adequate clearance in respect to drain gutters and the like, especially where the bracket structure is mounted on a sloping roof.

Diagonal brace bars 20 connected between the upper end portions of the board bars 12 and the base bars 15 complete the frame structure of the respective bracket assemblies. Attachment of the opposite ends of the brace bars 20 is effected by means of respective similar clamps 19.

Desirably, all of the bars comprising each of the frames of the bracket structure 5 are tubular, such as tubular steel, tubular aluminum, or the like.

By a new and improved construction and relationship of the clamps 19 minutely accurate adjustments can be effected throughout a substantial range in respect to numerous conditions that may be encountered in the mounting of the backboard 7 and thus greatly facilitates installation by relatively inexperienced persons to whom the equipment may be sold in a knocked-down condition as a do-it-yourself kit. To this end, each of the clamps 19 comprises a pair of preferably identical clamp plates 21 suitably apertured to receive therethrough a machine screw or bolt 22 by which the clamp platesare attached pivotally adjustably and in clamping relation to opposite sides of a flat terminal flange 23 (FIG. 2) provided therefor on the end of the associated bar (as shown, in FIG. 1, in coplanar relation on the opposite ends of the bars 20 and on the ends of the arms 18) which is to be adjustably fastened by the clamp in a desired position longitudinally along another of the bars. For longitudinally adjustably gripping the latter bar, each of the clamp plates 21 has an angular clamping finger 24 substantially complementary in longitudinal shape to the perimeter of the bar to be gripped, in this instance of semi-cylindrical shape to fit reasonably snugly against the perimeter of the gripped bar. The relationship of the complementary gripping fingers 24 to the straight body fian-ge portions of the clamping plates 21 is such that when the bolts 22 are drawn up tight the fingers 24 grip the embracingly opposed surface of the gripped bar with non-slipping pressure. However, with the bolt 22 loosened, minutely incremental sliding adjustment along the engaged bar may be effected.

In order to enable adjustments of the clamp 19 to be effected freely after the engaged bar is attached to a surface, such as the backboard 7 in the case of the board bars 12 and the roof 8 in the case of the base bars 15, each of the clamp fingers 24 is of a length which will engage more than 90 of the bar perimeter but less than 180 and with the tips of the fingers adequately spaced from the surface engaging portion of the engaged bar so as to be clear and free in respect to such surface for sliding adjustments of the clamp along the bar, as desired.

As a result of the adjustable clamps 19 by which the terminals 23 of the cantilever arms 18 are attached to the vertical board bars 12 and the terminals 23 of the brace bars are attached to the board bars 12 and to the base bars 15, accurate adjustments of the backboard 7 both vertically for height adjustment of the hoop 9 and for the desired face plane adjustment of the backboard relative to the base bars 15 can be effected with accuracy simply, quickly and effectively. This is especially desirable where the assembly is installed on a building roof such as on a shed or garage, where pitch and height may vary greatly from installation to installation. The assembly can be supplied in a compact collapsed knocked down condition from which it is readily erected and mounted simply, easily and quickly.

In FIGURE 3, is shown a modification in which a bracket structure 25 is constructed and arranged to support a game backboard 27 in respect to the wall of a building, a high fence, spaced posts, supporting wooden frame, and the like. Game apparatus such as a basketball hoop 28 supporting a basket 29 is adapted to be mounted on the front face of the board 27. Attachment of the mounting bracket 25 to the back face of the backboard 27 is through a pair of spaced coextensive board bars 30 secured by means such as screws 31 to the board and extending throughout most of the length of the board. Pivotally attached as by means of bolts or rivets 31 to the end portions of the bars 30 are respective parallel, coextensive legs 32 of U-shaped base bars 33 desirably provided with holes 34 therethrough to receive attaching screws or bolts by which the base bars are attached to the supporting structure such as a wall. Fixed relative adjustment of the base bars is maintained by diagonal brace bars 35 of which one is suitably associated with each of the board bars 30 and with one of the base bars. Respective clamps 19 are carried by the respective opposite fiat terminal flanges 23' on the brace bars and adjustably grip the respective bars 30 and 32. Through this arrangement, it is a simple matter to erect the frame of the bracket structure 25, attach the base bars 33 to the supporting structure, and secure the bracket in properly adjusted relation through the clamps 19 on the brace bars 35.

In FIGURE 4 the same backboard supporting bracket structure 25 is depicted as in FIGURE 3 but modified in its adjustment to enable mounting on a post P such as a telephone post, screws 37 extending through the holes 34 in the brace bars 33 securing the base bars to the post. In order to abut the perimeter of the vertical post the base bars 33 are angled toward one another as shown. By reason of the easy adjustment enabled by virtue of the securing clamps 19, optimum spacing of the base bars 33 is enabled for abutment of the bottom surfaces of the basebars 33 against a post of any diameter.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a backboard having a front face mounting in playing relation game apparatus comprising a basketball basket and having a backface;

supporting bracket structure including board bars and means securing them to said backface; cylindrical base bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment and adapted to be secured with perimeter portions close to a supporting surface;

brace bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment; and

respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said base bars, each of said clamps comprising opposed complementary arcuate clamping fingers each of which engages about over but less than of the engaged base bar and with tips of the fingers sufficiently spaced from the respective surface engaging portion of the base bar to enable free adjustment of the clamp along the engaged bar, and securing means to secure the clamps fixedly in adjusted position along the engaged base bar.

2. In combination with a backboard having a front face mounting in playing relation game apparatus comprising basketball basket and having a backface;

supporting bracket structure including cylindrical board bars and means securing them to said back face with respective perimeter portions close to the surface of the backface;

base bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment;

brace bars attached to said base bars for pivotal adjustment;

and respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said board bars, each of said clamps comprising opposed complementary arcuate clamping fingers each of which engages about over 90 but less than 180 of the engaged board bar and with tips of the fingers sufficiently spaced from the respective surface engaging portion of the board bar to enable free adjustment of the clamp along the engaged bar, and securing means to secure the clamps fixedly in adjusted position along the engaged board bar.

3. In combination with a backboard having a front face mounting in playing relation game apparatus comprising a basketball basket and having a backface:

supporting bracket structure including cylindrical board bars and means securing them to said backface; cylindrical base bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment and adapted to be secured with perimeter portions close to a supporting surface; brace bars extending between said board bars and said bars;

and respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said base bars and said board bars, each of said clamps comprising opposed complementary arcuate clamping fingers each of which engages about over 90 but less than 180 of the engaged base bar and board bar with tips of the fingers sufficiently spaced from the respective surface engaging portion of the base bar and board bar to enable free adjustment of the clamp along the engaged bar, and securing means to secure the clamps fixedly in adjusted position along the engaged base bar and board bar.

4. In combination with a backboard having a front face mounting in playing relation game apparatus comprising a basketball basket and having a backface:

supporting bracket structure including board bars and means securing them to said backface;

base bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment;

brace bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment; and

respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said base bars;

said base bars being of generally U-shape having spaced coextensive arms attached to said board bars and said brace bars being attached to said arms by means of said clamps. 5. In combination in bracket structure for a game apparatus of the character described including a backboard:

board bars for attachment in supporting relation to the backboard;

cylindrical base basr attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment and adapted to be secured with perimeter portions thereof close to a supporting surface;

brace bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment;

and respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said base bars, each of said clamps comprising opposed complementary arcuate clamping fingers each of which engages about over 90 but less than 180 of the engaged base bar and with tips of the fingers sufiiciently spaced from the respective surface engaging portion of the base bar to enable free adjustment of the clamp along the engaged bar, and securing means to secure the clamps fixedly in adjusted position along the engaged base bar.

6. In combination in bracket structure for a game apparatus of the character described including a backboard:

cylindrical board bars for attachment in supporting relation to the backboard with perimeter portions close to the backboard surface;

base bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment;

brace bars attached to said base bars for pivotal adjustment;

and respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said board bars, each of said clamps comprising opposed complementary arcuate clamping fingers each of which engages about over 90 but less than 180 of the engaged board bar and with tips of the fingers sufliciently spaced from the respective surface engaging portion of the board bar to enable free adjustment of the clamp along the engaged bar, and securing means to secure the clamps fixedly in adjusted position along the engaged board bar.

7. In combination in bracket structure for a game apparatus of the character described including a backboard:

cylindrical board bars for attachment in supporting relation to the backboard and having perimeter portions to be disposed close to the supporting surface of the backboard; cylindrical base bars attached to the board bars for pivotal adjustment and having perimeter portions to be closely disposed relative to a supporting surface;

brace bars extending between said board bars and said base bars;

and respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said base bars and said board bars, each of said clamps comprising opposed complementary arcuate clamping fingers each of which engages about over but less than of the engaged base bar and board bar with tips of the fingers sufficiently spaced from the respective surface engaging portion of the base bar and board bar to enable free adjustment of the clamp along the engaged bar, and securing means to secure the clamps fixedly in adjusted position along the engaged base bar and board bar.

8. In combination in bracket structure for a game apparatus of the character described including a backboard:

board bars for attachment in supporting relation to the backboard;

base bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment;

brace bars attached to said board bars for pivotal adjustment; and respective clamps carried by said brace bars and adjustably clampingly engaging said base bars;

said base bars being of generally U-shape having spaced coextensive arms attached to said board bars and said brace bars being attached to said arms by means of said clamps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 958,052 5/1910 Williams 248-6'2 XR 2,227,310 12/1940 Hoppes et a1. 273-1.5 2,818,254 12/1957 Dunn 273-l.5 3,108,803 10/1963 Naideth 273-1.5

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner. 

